OTT platforms like Netflix, online news portals now under I&B ministry's control

A notification in this regard was issued by the cabinet secretariat stated that "films and audio-visual programmes made available by online content providers and news and current affairs content on online platforms" shall be included in the 'India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961. 

<p><strong>Digital content providers like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, SonyLIV, ZEE5, Disney Plus and Hotstar will now be regulated by the Union Information and Broadcasting ministry.</strong></p>

Digital content providers like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, SonyLIV, ZEE5, Disney Plus and Hotstar will now be regulated by the Union Information and Broadcasting ministry.

<p><strong>Also under government purview from now on are online mediums, including films and news content, under the ministry of information and broadcasting.&nbsp;</strong></p>

Also under government purview from now on are online mediums, including films and news content, under the ministry of information and broadcasting. 

<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>According to the amendment order signed by President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday the I&amp;B ministry will also regulate current affairs content on online platforms.</strong></p>

According to the amendment order signed by President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday the I&B ministry will also regulate current affairs content on online platforms.

<p><strong>A notification in this regard was issued by the cabinet secretariat stated that "films and audio-visual programmes made available by online content providers and news and current affairs content on online platforms" shall be included in the 'India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961.&nbsp;</strong></p>

A notification in this regard was issued by the cabinet secretariat stated that "films and audio-visual programmes made available by online content providers and news and current affairs content on online platforms" shall be included in the 'India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961. 

<p><strong>The notification comes days after the Supreme Court sought the Centre's response on a petition seeking regulation of OTT platforms by an autonomous body.</strong></p>

The notification comes days after the Supreme Court sought the Centre's response on a petition seeking regulation of OTT platforms by an autonomous body.

<p><strong>This September, the I&amp;B ministry had refused to support the self-regulation code floated by the Internet and Mobile Association of India. The I&amp;B ministry had then said that the proposed self-regulatory mechanism lacks independent third-party monitoring, does not have a well-defined code of ethics, does not clearly enunciate prohibited content, and at the second- and third-tier level there is an issue of conflict of interest.</strong></p>

This September, the I&B ministry had refused to support the self-regulation code floated by the Internet and Mobile Association of India. The I&B ministry had then said that the proposed self-regulatory mechanism lacks independent third-party monitoring, does not have a well-defined code of ethics, does not clearly enunciate prohibited content, and at the second- and third-tier level there is an issue of conflict of interest.